ONLINE FORUM - International Dimensions of Participation. Swiss Inputs to Bridging the Gap

10:00 - 11:30 am CEST / Track 1: Swiss Direct Democracy in Practice

There is an old tension between participatory and direct democratic opportunities within a country and the often less transparent legislation and agreements between nation states. While certain inroads have been made at the transnational level in Europe and worldwide, most negotiations and international agreements are still developed and agreed on far from the citizens affected by them.

International regulation increasingly includes new instruments, new actors and new subject areas. For example, in the context of rapid technological and societal change, soft law instruments have gained in importance. While offering advantages of speediness, flexibility, and adaptability, their growing importance raises questions on the involvement of parliaments and civil society in their elaboration and adoption. There is a need for more international discussion about how this paradigm shift affects the rule of law and democracy

Online Forum Confernce Guide